Georgia DOT activates winter weather response plans, urges motorists to stay off roads as winter weather expected this weekend

ATLANTA – Following Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s issuance of a state of emergency in advance of winter weather expected to impact much of the state in the coming days, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is actively preparing and positioning crews and equipment and is urging motorists to prepare now as crews take proactive steps to address potentially hazardous road conditions.

Beginning at midnight Friday night into Saturday, Georgia DOT crews will start pre-treating interstate highways across north Georgia by applying brine to help prevent ice from bonding to the pavement. Georgia DOT maintains nearly two million gallons of brine statewide and has the capacity to replenish supplies by producing up to 50,000 gallons of brine per hour as needed.

Motorists are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and avoid travel during brining operations to give crews the space they need to safely and effectively apply treatment materials. Brine operations will continue around the clock, and crews will continuously monitor roadway conditions and treat as needed throughout the duration of the event.

In addition to interstates, Georgia DOT crews will also pre-treat state routes, with priority given to corridors serving hospitals and urgent care facilities to help maintain access for emergency and essential travel.

Snowplow teams from south Georgia will begin deploying Friday to support existing crews in north Georgia, where impacts are expected to be greatest.

To help mitigate potential issues involving stranded motorists, stalled vehicles, or crashes, Georgia DOT’s HERO (Highway Emergency Response Operators) and CHAMP (Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Patrol) units will begin 24-hour patrols on interstates starting at 7 a.m. Saturday. Patrol efforts will primarily focus on Interstate 20 and routes northward.

Due to the relative uncertainty surrounding weather impacts, the potential for freezing rain or ice across much of the region, and the increased risk of motorists becoming stranded, involved in crashes, or encountering falling trees, limbs, or power lines on roadways, Georgia DOT strongly recommends that motorists plan to stay home and off the roads during this time if at all possible. While Georgia DOT crews will be working around the clock to treat interstates and state routes, ice is among the most difficult and dangerous roadway conditions to manage.

Georgia DOT remains in close coordination with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and the National Weather Service (NWS) and will continue monitoring forecasts and roadway conditions statewide.

Motorists are urged not to travel, but those who must travel should use extreme caution and consult 511GA for up-to-the-minute traffic conditions, road closures, and travel advisories. Information is available by calling 511, visiting 511ga.org, or using the 511GA mobile app.

For additional updates, visit www.dot.ga.gov or follow Georgia DOT on social media.

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